Ask the expert: Jerry Angelo

Jerry Angelo is a former personnel director for the Bucs and former general manager of the Bears. Each week, Angelo answers your questions regarding the NFL. Send your questions to GarySheltonsports@gmail.com with "ask the expert'' in the subject line. The most interesting questions will be selected.

Thursday, 4 a.m.

As teams begin their training camps, this interests me: How long does it take a team to realize if it has a great player or a bust among its draft picks. The reason I ask is that an assistant coach doubted Derrick Brooks early, but all the assistant coaches were raving about Eric Curry. Does it take a while for a player to seek his proper level?

In most cases, as with the ones you mentioned, it does. Players need to figure it out on their own. It may take them a year or two.

It took Drew Brees four years before he looked close to the Hall of Fame player he is today. Everyone works off their own timetable when it comes to getting to their comfort level. There is always a sense of urgency on every one’s part to get to where they need to be right away, but it simply doesn’t work that way in reality.

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The good coaches are patient teachers and evaluators. Eventually the cream rises to the top, but you have to be patient or you may get a Brett Favre situation and that can be a train wreck for an organization, as it was for Atlanta.

How do you think the Patriots will handle the Jimmy Garappolo situation? Does he eventually get traded, or can the team keep him until Tom Brady is done?

I can’t really say. I don’t know 100% how the Pats feel about him.

His contract is about ready to expire, so if they want to get something of real value, they probably have to do something soon. But the one thing for sure, they are in the driver’s seat on this one. They can’t make a poor decision. It’s just a matter of what serves them the best and that’s their call.

The Chargers took grief for stopping Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates from attending LaDainian Tomlinson’s Hall of Fame induction. Would you allow them to go, or is a training camp practice that important?

I would most definitely allow them to go. That the induction is a once in a lifetime deal. Those three players were the Three Amigos!

It’s only fitting they are there for his induction. I don’t get that one. A few practices without them will not make a big difference one way or the other. To me, somebody was running scared on this one and it’s a shame, because LT deserves the best from the Chargers' organization.

Former Bucs' coach Jon Gruden says he is preparing to coach again. Do you believe it? Has Gruden been away too long in a cushy announcer's seat?

If Gruden wants to coach, then he’ll get an opportunity to coach. It will be his call

He’s proven and the pool of candidates every year is a watered down one, at best. Enough time has passed that I think he’s re-energized and ready to go again. Am I optimistic he’ll be successful? That’s a coin toss. Being a head coach in the NFL is a losing proposition in today's game.

Which bad team will have the best turnaround this season? Cleveland? San Francisco? Chicago?

I know I’m going to eat these words. The Browns! They’ve been getting a lot of talented players year after year. At some point, they have to show something. Again we’re talking about the Browns, so we’ll see.

We know Tom Brady is the best quarterback in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers is probably No. 2. But Chris Simms says that Matthew Stafford is third. In a league of Ben Rothlisberger, Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, Russell Wilson, Philip Rivers, Derek Carr and Drew Brees, is that possible? Who would you rank third?

I love Chris Simms, but he’s not thinking with his head on this one. There is no way you can put Stafford in the same class as the guys you mentioned. No Way!

I know Chris a little bit. I’m sure he meant it in another way. No one under the sun would agree with that statement and I’m including his dad on this one.

You watched a lot of Bucs’ quarterbacks play. How would you rank them over the years?

Doug Williams was the best of all of them. I think Winston could wear the crown before it’s all said and done. Unfortunately, the Bucs have been anemic at the position for the better part of their young tenure as a franchise.

Okay, it’s time for our favorite players from different colleges question. Today, let’s go with Texas. 1) Earl Campbell; 2) Ricky Williams; 3) Tommy Nobis; 4) Vince Young; 5) Bobby Layne. You can pick a different player if you wish.

I'd take the Tyler Rose (Campbell) going away. He was a prolific runner with the size of a lineman and the toughness of a linebacker.

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About Gary Shelton

• No one covers Tampa Bay like Gary Shelton.
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